Verdict : Above Average
2.75/5
Story: For those of you who didn't know, this is a remake of Malayalam Super hit
movie with the same name "Classmates". It boasts of a novel story with
all ingredients like youthful college scenes, humour and sentiment.
But, the high point of the movie is the suspense element interlaced with
the story. The story was set-up in a span of 10 years, the first year
being the last year of graduation of all the students and other
characters involved and the 10th year is the reunion of all those characters,
except one, Murali (Sarvanand) who was dead the same day 10 years back.
The film begins with a farewell party to a lecturer Chandra Mohan(Kota
Srinivasa Rao) whose son was Murali. He invites all the old students who
are close to his son Murali when they studies together. The occasion
was the 10th death anniversary of Murali. During those nostalgic moments,
some look at each other with lot of love and some with guilt and one
person with hatred. That very night someone makes a murder attempt on
Ravi(Sumanth). From then on the story was told in a flashback and forth.
There are two rival gangs in the college. Ravi is the leader of SFI and
Satish(Ravi Varma) is the leader of NSU which is the student wing of
the political party belonging to Raji's(Sada) father who is an MLA. Raji
is arrogant and does not cooperate when Ravi requests everyone to
support SFI by boycotting the classes. At one point Ravi saves Raji from a
police lathi charge and she falls in love with Ravi knowing that he is
already in love with her. Satish who has serious political ambitions
wants to cajole Raji to gain political mileage through her father. So he
makes a perfect plan which forces Raji to participate in the college
election as a candidate of NSU on insistance from her father . Ravi
doesn't like Raji to contest against him as everyone knew that they are in
love and the situation will make a fool out of him. But Raji has no
other choice as her father forces her and she can't dare explain the
situation to him. This is the interval point. Two more characters were
introduced in the first half. One is a gurkha clad shy girl Razia(Kamalinee
Mukherjee) and a sweet boy Murali who is the bridge between the two
rival gangs. Everyone loves him and often listens to him when he asks them
to stop fighting.
Second half begins with scenes where Satish wants to show Ravi a bad
person to Raji. So he plans some things cunningly which puts Raji in some
embarrassing situations. These incidents project Ravi as the main
culprit. Ravi tries hard to convince Raji that he has nothing to do with what
all happened but fails miserably. It leaves a strong hatred impression
in Raji's mind towards Ravi and she moves away from him. Then they all
come to know a shocking news that Murali was found dead in the
generator room. After this incident Ravi leaves the college. Then the movie
comes into the current mode. The remaining part of the movie runs racily
towards the 
climax. The last 40 minutes of the movies has highly charged
emotional scenes. The suspense is revealed through one of the
characters and it forms the crux of the film. To know what is the cause of
Murali's death and who and why someone tried to kill Ravi go watch the
movie.
Screenplay is good in the first half with a few boring moments. Second
half starts off quickly and the tempo goes down suddenly and again
picks up in the last 40 mini tues of the movie. One feels that they should
have concentrated more on the scripting part with more tight situations.
Director Vijay Bhaskar who earlier delivered block busters hits fell
short this time. His treatment is just okay. He narrated the story in an
old fashioned way. This is the first time for Vijaya Bhaskar without
the lucky hand of supremely talented Thrivikram. His talent is seen
though in handling the sentimental scenes.
Dialogues: Young and budding writer in demand after Bommarillu, Abburi
Ravi penned dialogues for this film. He has written a few good lines
for the film. One nice dialogue is uttered by Kota Srinivasa Rao. It goes
like this, "edo anesindi kada ani serious ga thisukunte godava
authundi, saradaki annadi le anukunte gnapakam authundi".
Music: All the songs are good and well picturised. Some section of the
audience feel the music lacks the punch as they are mostly melodious
numbers. A mass song is seriously missing in the album. Background music
is very good from beginning to the final credits. Koti did a splendid
job when it comes to re-recording, particularly for emotional scenes.
Photography: Photography by Hari Anumolu is good. Lighting schemes used
are good, especially for the scenes which were shot in night times. He
is successfully in getting the right mood. Most of the time he sticks
to the basics which is fine.
Editing : Akin Striker Phrased did a first rate job. Especially in
the last 40 minutes of the movie where the story moves back and forth
revealing bits which were not shown in the original context in the first
half to guard the suspense factor.
Artists Performance :
Sumanth : Sumanth, with his new hairdo looked in a very good shape in
the movie. He starts off with a sober look and a french beard to match
that mood. He does his usual action in the flashback scenes involving
college days which includes the regular campus fights, dances and
romance. His hard work on his body language reflects clearly on the screen,
though he can do away leaving his trademark expressions. The real test
for him comes towards the end of the film where a very matured
performance is required. It becomes imperative for Sumanth to put in a balanced
performance in the highly charged emotional scenes in the climax. And
boy he delivers it with aplomb. His costumes are also nice as usual.
Sada : Sada did a fair job. She looks okay in the movie with light
colored chudidars and in sarees as well. There is nothing to perform in her
role but within the limitations she did fine.
Sarvanand : This boy has got some talent. We saw him a violent youth
in Vennela and an innocent boy in Amma Cheppindi. Here again he does a
neat job as softnatured calm going student. He has very little screen
space which he utilized to the fullest. Good thing for him is the movie
ends on him which leaves an impression on audience minds when leaving
the theater.
Other actors did a neat job especially Ravi Varma and Kamalinee
Mukherjee.
How is the movie?
A proper work on screenplay might have a made this movie a good hit.
The story is new but the treatment is not that good. Songs are good and
they take the movie forward. Entertainment is so so with Sunil and Siva
Reddy doing most of the comic bits. The last 40 minutes of the movie
where all the suspense is revealed is reallygood. You can definitely
watch it once for the novel story. Special mention is Sumanth must be
commended for accepting this kind of role.
Final Verdict:
This movie is targeted mainly at the youth and family audience, thanks
to some heart touching scenes. This may not reach the masses. On the
whole, Classmates with good promotion, can be taken to a decent hit
range. Summer season is an added advantage.
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